Berwyn approves open firefighter position

BERWYN – They Berwyn City Council said yes to a temporary replacement of a firefighter/paramedic, but still had questions about the addition of a police officer to the force when the Council met Sept. 10.

A request from Fire Chief Denis O’Halloran was approved to hire the next probationary firefighter/paramedic on the department’s waiting list to replace a firefighter who is on unpaid administrative leave for a long term-medcal disability.

Assistant City Administrator Evan Summer said it just made financial sense.

“It was going to be cheaper in the long run to hire someone full-time than to continue paying overtime at time and a half,” Summer said. “This is a long-term disability with no short term in sight.”

Police Chief James Ritz requested permission to fill a vacancy in his ranks after one of his officers was appointed to the position of full-time School Resource Officer to serve Elementary School Districts 98 and 100. A motion was made by council member Margaret Paul to defer the request until the next Committee of the Whole meeting because Ritz was unable to attend the meeting and answer Council members’ questions.

The School Resource Officer’s position is paid through drug forfeiture funds.